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She hesitated.
The sound of a chair scraping against the floor broke the tension between them. Tanner came to stand next to them.
“He’s right, Candi. We are not going to let the asshat near you.”
“My ex is deranged. He’d call me collect from prison—”
“Saying what?” Dallas cut her off. His scowl grew deeper, showcasing his displeasure.
“You accepted his calls?” Tanner snorted. He folded his arms in front of his chest.
“No, I didn’t. He’d state his message when it asked for the caller’s name,” she explained. She hadn’t spoken to Lamont since the trial.
“So he’s been intimidating you from prison,” Dallas bit out. The dark fury on his face was infamous around the bar. Most patrons wouldn’t try anything funny when Dallas was there.
Tanner’s expression of determination and Dallas’s deep scowl forced her to take a step back.
“Look, I don’t want anyone to get hurt. Lamont is a very dangerous man. He was not the same man I married. When he went to prison, it was a relief. I could get my life back.” She blew out a breath and tucked her thick hair behind her ear.
The first day she had returned to the house she’d shared with her ex-husband. She’d walked through it and knew if she were to start over, she’d have to leave the house. It was filled with so many bad memories. There was no way she’d be able to stay there. She’d packed a bag and left.
“Do you trust me?” Dallas’s words broke through her thoughts.
She jerked her head up and down without a thought. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind of Dallas’s ability to protect her.
“Then know I will handle this. I have to go into the station for a little. You will be safe here. I won’t be gone long.” Dallas stepped forward and ran both of his hands along her biceps. “When I return, you and I will need to have a talk.”
Candi was sure that conversation would include plans for a future for them.
In the back of her mind, the tiny voice was screaming for her to disappear. She couldn’t ignore it any longer.
That would be the only way innocent people wouldn’t get hurt.
A soft smile graced her lips. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Candi waited for Dallas and Tanner to leave. She’d played the part, giving Dallas one last, long kiss. His heated gaze had met hers, and she knew what it would mean once he returned.
His hardness pressing against her stomach had confirmed it.
But she wouldn’t be there when he returned.
He’d left, shutting the door behind him.
She slowly made her way to his bedroom with her heart breaking.
Within minutes, she’d thrown on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and flats.
Each motion of readying herself to leave tore at her. She held back the tears that threatened to fall.
She had to be strong.
Candi had known this day was going to come. Unfortunately, it had come earlier than she’d expected. There was no way she’d be safe in the same city as Lamont—much less the same state.
Once she got to a remote location, she’d call Kay to let her know she was unharmed. Her friend would be worried out of her mind, but for now it would be best that Kay didn’t know what Candi was planning.
She’d tried to stop Candi from leaving.
Life just kept throwing her curveballs.
